Stephen A. Smith

Responses I

From time to time, I want to take a moment to respond to people’s questions. I decided to use this forum to do that. The questions may come from my guestbook, e-mail, or right here on this blog. Here’s my first set.

Matt Neeb (from Stephena.com Guestbook)
In a game of 2 on 2, who wins?
Kwame Brown and Michael Olowokandi, or Rasho Nesterovic and Slava Medvedenko?

Yo Matt, it's definitely Rasho and Slava. There isn't a worse
player on the planet than Kwame Brown.

George T. Hadjoglou (from Stephena.com Guestbook)
I know that you're from Hollis. I'm curious about one thing however. Is it possible that you went to either IS 192 or IS 59. I was a math teacher in 192 and an Assistant Principal in 59. For a number of years I have thought that your face looked familiar to me.

George, I attended PS 192. I grew up right around that area.

Michelle (from Stephena.com Guestbook)
Hi Stephen A. It's your Queens friend. You really need to host a call in radio show based on lationships. You always make good points regarding the Strawberry Letters on Steve Harvey's show. You're open and honest in your answers and that is always appreciated. As a woman of a certain age (38), hearing a real man's point of view is always welcome. The youngins might not like it but I do.

Michelle, if the right offer comes I plan on doing just that. Aside from Sports, I absolutely love talking about relationships, politics and social issues. I'm not a morning person, nor do I think I'm that funny, so I'm not capable of doing a show like Steve Harvey's Morning Show -- especially without my boy, Nephew Tommy.
     But if the right offer came along, I'd love to do it. Possibly Drive-Time or later in the evening if it extensively involved relationship issues. Again, though, the right offer has to come along :)

ESPN Magazine Article

Here's my latest column in the Mag. Hope ya'll like it!

ESPN: Donnie Walsh

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/columns/story?columnist=smith_stephen&page=dwalsh-080516

ESPN Magazine Article

Ladies and Gentlemen, here's my first column. I'm a little rusty, so forgive me if I'm not as polarizing as normal (smile!!!!). I'm working on it.

http://sports.espn.go.com/espnmag/story?id=3382363

May 7 Thoughts

  What's up, everybody! I won't even bother apologizing for taking so long to write this blog. Needless to say I've been inundated with NBA Playoff action, more business and personal matters and -- yes, believe it or not -- just flat-out laziness when I've had a moment to write something.

    Although it's nothing more than a few moments, I am loving the little bit of free time I have at my disposal now that I've surrendered my radio show on ESPN's 1050 in New York. For the first time in four (4) years, I actually had time to rest in my backyard in the middle of the day, resting in the sunshine on home turf the way I always envisioned. It was just a moment, but it's amazing how one simple moment can serve to remind us of the importance of being able to enjoy the fruits of one's labor. To smell the proverbial roses circulating all around us.

    There's no doubt I'll get back into Radio someday in the near future. I actually learned to enjoy doing Radio, especially when something compelling (i.e. Roger Clemens, Barry Bonds, etc.) was permeating the airwaves. The thing is, what Radio reminded me of myself more than anything else is how much I love talking about real-life issues. Societal issues. Politics. Relationships. Etc.

    Who knows! One day I may actually be afforded to opportunity to do something other than SportsTalk Radio.

   Stay tuned! The opportunities could be endless.

   For now, though, TODAY is a special day.

    In case you didn't know, not only have I returned full time to Television for ESPN, I'm also the new Columnist for ESPN The Magazine AND ESPN.Com. My first column for the Magazine hits Newsstands today, so go grab it and check it out, then get back to me.

    I'll holla at ya'll later. But not before I leave you with a few bits of info.

  NBA Notes:

   For the record, I voted for Kobe Bryant to win league-MVP honors. He deserves it, plain and simple. Chris Paul (Hornets) finished second in my ballot, followed by Kevin Garnett and LeBron James. Garnett's already had his time in that regard, and Paul and LeBron's time are coming.

    As for the playoffs, I still expect the Lakers to win it all. I haven't decided yet, though, whether it'll be Boston or Detroit coming out of the East. I'd love for it to be Boston, but I can't help but have my doubts based on how the Celtics were exposed by the Atlanta Hawks in the first round. That series went 7 games because Boston couldn't deal with Atlanta's athleticism, nor could Boston defend well off the dribble.

    As for the Hornets, I'm shocked at what they've done to the Spurs thus far, but the reality is that I shouldn't be. New Orleans in younger and quicker with more hunger. Plus, San Antonio has had trouble scoring all season long. If Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili are not clicking on all cylinders, it's tough for the Spurs. And that was before they faced anyone like Paul, so imagine how things are for them
right now.

    I'm picking the Hornets to win this series. Haven't decided yet whether it would be in 5 or 7 games. That would totally depend on San Antonio winning both Games 3 and 4. If not, the series ends in 5 because New Orleans is not going to lose at home.

   Holla at ya'll later.